Master of Systems Engineering (8567)

The Master of Systems Engineering (MSysEng) is designed for postgraduate scholars who wish to develop a high level understanding of the principles and practices of systems engineering and to strengthen their skills in this area.

In addition to the stand alone MSysEng degree award, the following specialisations are also available in this program:

Electronic Warfare

Networking

Space Systems

Test and Evaluation

Weapons and Ordnance

Marine Engineering

Simulation

Reliability Engineering

The program aims to allow students to develop a high level of understanding of the principles that shape systems engineering and their implementation through the design, development and application phases.

More Information

Further details for the program are listed below. If you require any more information about this program, or are currently in a Masters program and would like to enquire if you are eligible to transfer into this program, please contact:

Program Details

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Program Structure

Students undertaking MSysEng are required to complete 48 Units of Credit (UOC) by completing eight 6-UOC courses from the list in the Handbook entry for the program (see the list in Course Availability below).

In the MSysEng program, students must complete four core courses and four elective courses (from the general electives or any of the specialisations). Not all elective courses will be available in a particular year.

Students may choose to complete the generalist MSysEng program or may choose to complete the MSysEng with a specialisation (Test & Evaluation, Space Systems, Electronic Warfare, Weapons and Ordnance, Networking, Reliability Engineering, Simulation and Marine Engineering). To complete a specialisation, students must complete the four core courses, two courses from the chosen specialisation, and two electives from anywhere else in the program.

The courses in the program may be taken in any order but it is recommended that the four core courses are completed first, followed by the four elective courses.

With approval of the Program Coordinator, students with an average mark of 65% or higher in four courses may complete a 12-UOC research project in lieu of two elective courses. The project is recommended for those with a strong interest in pursuing original research in a particular area or intending to undertake a higher-level research qualification.

With the approval of the Program Coordinator, students may take up to two elective courses (12 UOC) from other coursework programs.

Research Project

The option of undertaking a research project worth 12 UOC is available to Masters students who obtain a high credit average or better in four courses and is subject to approval by the Program Coordinator.

The research project can be completed within one semester through enrolment in ZEIT8297 Project Report - Systems Engineering (F/T) or spread across two semesters through enrolment in ZEIT8296 Project Report - Systems Engineering (P/T). Completion of either course results in the achievement of 12 UOC.

The project is recommended for those with a strong interest in pursuing original research in a particular area or intending to undertake a higher research degree qualification. Student undertaking the research project (ZEIT8297 or ZEIT8296) are unable to enrol in elective courses from other coursework programs.

Course Availability

Courses being offered in Master of Systems Engineering – 2018

*Please Note: Program rules are subject to change, students need to follow the program rules set out in the UNSW Handbook of the year they were admitted into the program.

Note: Courses ZBUS8310, ZBUS8911, ZBUS8913, ZEIT8010, ZEIT8503, ZEIT8704 and ZINT8301 are only available to Capability and Technology Management College (CTMC) students or other Australian Defence Organisation personnel on approval from the Director, CTMC.

Entry Requirements

There are six pathways for entry to the Master of Systems Engineering

Pathway 1. Completion of a Bachelor's degree with Honours with a major in Management.

Pathway 2. Completion of a Graduate Diploma in Management.

Pathway 3. Completion of a 3 or 4-year Bachelor degree, which includes a major in Management, and have completed at least 3-years full-time professional experience in Management*.

Pathway 4. Completion of a Bachelor degree in any discipline, and have completed at least 4-years full-time professional experience in Management*.

Pathway 5. Evidence of other academic qualifications and professional experience submitted to the Program Authority to be acceptable grounds for admission. For Australian military personnel this equates to the following:

ADF Officers with 4 years of experience at O3 level (or higher); or

ADF Senior Non-Commissioned Officers with 4 years of experience at E8 level (or higher. Note: This pathway is only available to those programs with a cognate discipline of Management.)

If successful, Pathway 5 applicants will be required to undertake the course ZBUS8210 Critical Analysis in Business as a pre-condition of entry to the program. On successful completion of this course, it will be credited to the program for advanced standing.

Pathway 6. No tertiary qualifications but evidence of professional experience submitted to the Program Authority is acceptable grounds for admission into the degree*.

If successful, Pathway 6 applicants will be required to undertake the course ZBUS8210 Critical Analysis in Business as a pre-condition of entry to the program. On successful completion of this course, it will be credited to the program for advanced standing.

*Pathway 3,4,5 and 6 - Evidence for professional experience:

The evidence required for validation of professional experince will include a statement of service from the employer verifying the position, role and responsibilities, and duration of employment.

Program Credit (Advanced Standing)

If you have previously completed postgraduate courses at UNSW or another recognised University, as part of either a completed or partially completed postgraduate award, you can apply for credit (advanced standing) towards your next postgraduate qualification.

The maximum amount of credit allowable is 50% of the requirements of the program—that is, no more than 24 UOC can be credited.

Credit can be either ‘specified’, meaning it can be used against a nominated core or elective course, or ‘unspecified’ where it can be used against electives only.

A course cannot be used for credit if it is greater than 10 years old.

A course cannot be used for credit if it was not completed at a recognised University, at the postgraduate level.

Recognition for Prior Learning - Professional Development

UNSW Canberra allows students who have successfully completed a minimum of 12 days of approved Professional Education courses to use those courses as partial credit for one course in the program, which has two main components:

• Prior successful completion of 12 days of approved Professional Education courses.

• A 3500 word essay exploring issues related the professional practice of a relevant discipline

To obtain credit for Professional Education courses, students apply to the Program Coordinator for permission (through an enrolment variation application) to enrol in the course. The application must include proof of successful completion of 12 days of approved Professional Education courses. On enrolment into the course, students engage with the Program Coordinator to choose an appropriate topic for the 3,500-word essay which will be submitted in the last week of the relevant session. A mark of satisfactory/unsatisfactory will be recorded for the course.

What is an approved Professional Education course?An approved Professional Education course is one that: • contains at least one day (at least six hours) of course work; • is delivered by a presenter, or presenters, that would be eligible for appointment at an Australian university; • is assessed by at least one hour of examination for every three days of course work; and • is able to be verified by inspection of course and assessment materials.

Which UNSW Canberra Professional Education courses are approved?To obtain credit for the short course, a student must complete the associated examination and receive a “Successfully Completed” certificate. Our Professional Education Accreditation page lists those approved courses.

Are approved Professional Education courses offered by any other service provider?A Professional Education/short course offered by a provider other than UNSW Canberra may be considered for inclusion in the list of approved Professional Education courses providing it meets the criteria listed above. If the course in question is not already listed on the list of approved Professional Education courses application may be made to the Program Coordinator. An application for approval must contain at least the following: • evidence of the number of hours of course work; • evidence that the presenter(s) would be eligible for appointment at an Australian university (a brief CV of each presenter is required, providing qualifications, background, and experience); • evidence of the assessment for the course (must be at least one hour of examination for three days of course work), including copies of previous tests and marking criteria; and • a copy of the course materials (course notes, and text).

Distance and Intensive Delivery Mode

Distance Mode: Courses are available in the distance (online) delivery mode. There is no need for you to be present on the campus to complete the course. You only need to download the information, complete the work and upload your assessments or complete the online tests as directed in the Course Outline. All coursework and forums are asynchronous; there is no need for you to be online at any specific point in time. If necessary, you can log in at the start of the session, download all the course material and only log back in again to submit assignments and complete any course tests. Of course, if you are able to be connected more regularly, you can participate in the online forums.

Intensive Delivery Mode (IDM): If you choose to undertake IDM courses, you will attend the UNSW Canberra campus for a one- week full-time period of face-to-face instruction. The IDM periods are usually at the start of each session so you may be able to package and complete a number of IDMs in succession. On completion of this on-campus component, you would complete the rest of the coursework as detailed in the Course Outline. There is no need to remain at UNSW Canberra nor to be online at any specific point. After the IDM intensive week, you simply download the information and continue through the session as if you were in the Distance Mode. Throughout the session you may, if you wish and are available, participate in online forums with other students